School and University News: School of Education and Social Policy

Shining a Light on Bangladeshi Student Protests

October 01, 2024

The violence in Bangladesh during student-led anti-government protests in August deeply affected Adrija Bhattacharjee, a graduate student at Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy. Heartbreaking stories haunted her: a father searching for his son’s whereabouts, a graduate student shot while delivering water to protesters, and a young girl killed by a stray bullet.

Musa al-Gharbi to Deliver Annual Loeschner Lecture

September 24, 2024

Sociologist Musa al-Gharbi, who argues that many who embrace progressive “social justice” causes actively benefit from and perpetuate the inequalities they decry, is the featured speaker for the 2024 Ray and Nancy Loeschner Lecture Series on Leadership at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 at Northwestern University.

Northwestern Secures $1.2 Million Grant to Train STEM Educators

September 18, 2024

Northwestern University received a $1.2 million award from the National Science Foundation’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program to provide scholarships to undergraduate STEM majors who want to pursue teaching in high-needs school districts.

Global Practicum Program Expands to Sydney

September 17, 2024

Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy is launching a practicum experience in Sydney, Australia, beginning in January 2025.

Shulman: Do We Really Want to Outsource Imagination?

September 12, 2024

AI's ability to instantaneously generate content is threatening student creativity, especially during the college application process, Elizabeth Shulman wrote in an opinion piece in Newsweek.

SESP Athletes Shine at the Paris Olympics

September 11, 2024

School of Education and Social Policy student athletes and alumni returned from the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics with medals, career bests, and unforgettable experiences. Here’s a quick update on how our athletes did.

David Rapp: 'Reading Made Me Who I Am'

August 30, 2024

When David Rapp was in high school, he worked in one of his favorite places in the world: The public library. There, the teenager was put in charge of literary classics, magazines, science fiction, and humor sections, all genres he still adores.

Softball Standout Named Top Financial Advisor

August 15, 2024

Softball Hall of Famer Tammy Williams wasn’t quite sure which direction to take her career after graduation. She kept playing her sport at elite levels, earned a master’s in business administration, and soon realized she had a knack for both numbers and helping people.

Olympians Head to Paris

July 24, 2024

The 2024 Olympic Games begin Friday, July 26, followed by the Paralympic Games on Aug. 28. Of the 13 athletes and two coaches affiliated with Northwestern University, four have a connection with the School of Education and Social Policy.

McCann To Receive Alumni Medal

July 22, 2024

Alumna Renetta McCann, a global leader in advertising, media, and organizational change, will receive the alumni medal, Northwestern University’s Alumni Association’s highest honor.

Scholar Athletes Set School Record

July 18, 2024

Thirty-seven student athletes from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar recognition in 2023-24, setting a new School record.

National Academies Releases Report on Equity in STEM Education

July 09, 2024

Faculty members and alumni co-authored a new National Academies' report on equity in science education, reflecting the School’s leadership in the field of learning sciences and STEM education.

Haase Wins Ver Steeg Fellowship

June 25, 2024

Developmental psychologist Claudia Haase received the 19th annual Dorothy Ann and Clarence L. Ver Steeg Distinguished Research Fellowship Award for her work probing the mysteries behind emotions and relationships.

2024 Undergraduate Honors and Awards

June 12, 2024

Avery Hirschfield, who studied learning and organizational change and minored in psychology, received the School of Education and Social Policy’s Alumni Leadership Award for her work as president and co-director of the Global Engagement Summit, a student-led conference uniting entrepreneurs across the world.

Convocation 2024: ‘Go, Go, Go, and Human’

June 12, 2024

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Mitchell S. Jackson encouraged graduates to reflect on the meaning of “human” and use it as a verb during his 2024 convocation address at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP).

AI in Education: Considering Ethics and Power

June 07, 2024

Difficult ethical and moral questions will play a central role in whether artificial intelligence will expand opportunities and equity in STEM education or make things worse, professor Sepehr Vakil said during his closing keynote at a National Science Foundation convening of principal investigators.

A Complex Legacy: 70 Years Since Brown v. Board

June 05, 2024

On the 70th anniversary of the Supreme Court Brown v. Board of Education decision, Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy and the Pritzker School of Law explore the lingering impact of 1950s integration policies on today’s students.

Eight honors students pose in front of Annenberg with faculty and staff

Meet SESP’s 2024 Honors Students

June 05, 2024

Anxiety, identity, and mentorship emerged as key themes for honors students at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, who were recognized during a faculty meeting and presented their work at a poster session.

Mitchell S. Jackson: Searching for Humanity

May 30, 2024

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Mitchell S. Jackson talked about the liberating power of fiction and his techniques for profiling famously polarizing figures during a wide-ranging conversation with Dean Bryan Brayboy.

David Uttal, a professor of psychology, talks about his research during an investiture ceremony

David Uttal: Maps, Space, and Place

May 08, 2024

David Uttal was 13 years old when he took a wrong turn on a hiking trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rescuers searched for him on foot, trail bike, jeep, and by air, probing thick underbrush and steep ridges across 60,000 acres.

Mitchell S. Jackson to Speak at Convocation

April 29, 2024

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Mitchell S. Jackson, the John O. Whiteman Dean’s Distinguished Professorship in the English Department of Arizona State University, will be the featured speaker during the 2024 School of Education and Social Policy Convocation ceremony at Northwestern University.

Megan Bang and Uri Wilensky were elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Faculty Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

April 25, 2024

Megan Bang and Uri Wilensky were elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies.

Alivia Britton and Mel McDaniel of the School of Communication are the 2024 co-chairs for Northwestern’s third annual student-run Pow Wow.

Spring Pow Wow: Honoring the Water

April 24, 2024

Undergraduates Alivia Britton (left) and Mel McDaniel are co-chairs of Northwestern University’s annual student-run Spring Pow Wow, an intergenerational cultural celebration sponsored by the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance.

Alums Work to Improve San Francisco City Services

April 18, 2024

Alumni Kathryn “Kate” Bowman and Neva Legallet are working for Bay Area city government as part of the San Francisco Fellows program.

SESP Ranked No. 5 by U.S. News

April 09, 2024

For the second year in a row, Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) has been ranked among the top five graduate schools of education according to the 2024-25 U.S. News and World Report Best Education Graduate Schools rankings.

SESP's New Home: The Jacobs Center

March 15, 2024

Excitement is building as Northwestern begins preparations on one of the University’s top priorities, to turn the Donald P. Jacobs Center into a new hub for the social sciences and global studies.

Still Trying to Change the World

March 06, 2024

When Renetta McCann was inducted into the American Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Fame last year, some of her admirers created a website, filled with such tributes to the trailblazer as “Thanks for lifting as you climb,” and “So glad she’s in my corner.”

Learning and Organizational Change: Get a Master's in a Year

March 05, 2024

Beginning in September 2024, the School of Education and Social Policy’s Master’s in Learning and Organizational Change (MSLOC) program will offer a one-year degree path.

SESP, Medill Offer Fellowships to Working Journalists

March 05, 2024

The Northwestern Education Journalism Initiative is looking for two professional journalists to work with two graduate students each, starting in late March 2024.

OiYan Poon: Asian American is Not a Color

March 01, 2024

OiYan Poon spoke to SESP students on race based admissions, commonly called affirmative action.

Megan Bang: 'Indian law is American law'

February 22, 2024

Native scholars and law professionals, including School of Education and Social Policy Dean Bryan Brayboy and professor Megan Bang, participated in the conference “100 Years Back, 100 Years Forward: Sovereignty, Community, and Indigenous Futures,” at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

Seven Things We Learned From Ruha Benjamin

February 05, 2024

Ruha Benjamin wants us to reckon with the impossible. A world without prisons? Schools that foster the genius of every child?

Two Degrees. Two Cultures. Infinite Possibilities.

January 11, 2024

Calling her own 17-month experience an “epic adventure,” Ning Yu urged her classmates to embrace adversity and turn obstacles into opportunities during her Master of Science in Social and Economic Policy convocation remarks at Northwestern University’s Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall.

Affirmative Action: In Conversation With OiYan Poon

January 09, 2024

Scholar and author OiYan Poon will lead a conversation about race, education, and leadership for a diverse democracy in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to strike down race-conscious college admissions.

Mesmin Destin named faculty director of student access and enrichment

September 29, 2023 – from Northwestern Now

School of Education and Social Policy professor Mesmin Destin was appointed the inaugural faculty director of student access and enrichment.

Tripathi Joins SESP Faculty

September 26, 2023

Ritu Tripathi, an expert in organizational behavior and cross-cultural psychology, has joined Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy as assistant professor of instruction.

New Dual Degree Combines Social Policy + Journalism

September 12, 2023

In response to the rapidly changing journalism industry, Northwestern University has launched a new five-year dual degree program between the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) and Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications.

Tennis Hall of Famer Returns to Northwestern

September 11, 2023

Georgia Rose Munns (BS09), whose career brought incredible success to the women’s tennis program, has been named assistant women’s tennis coach at Northwestern University.

E4 Welcomes New Visiting Scholars

August 09, 2023

Scholars Ana Paula Melo and Tommy Wells have been named early career visiting fellows at Northwestern University's Center for Education Efficacy, Excellence, and Equity (E4) for the 2023-24 academic year.

Meet Our Distinguished Scholar Athletes

July 07, 2023

Twenty-five Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy athletes earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar recognition, an award given to students who maintain a grade point average of 3.70 or higher and earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition in the previous academic year.

Convocation 2023: ‘Nothing Thrives in Isolation’

June 14, 2023

Ekpedeme “Pamay” Bassey challenged School of Education and Social Policy graduates to embrace the power of lifelong learning, ask hard questions, and practice “everyday courage” during the 2023 convocation celebration at Northwestern University’s Ryan Fieldhouse.

Reaching the Top: Meet Our New PhDs

June 10, 2023

Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy celebrated students who received doctorates during the annual convocation ceremony at Ryan Fieldhouse.

Ofer Malamud, Jolie Matthews, Sally Nuamah, Sepehr Vakil, and Marcelo Worsley

These Five Faculty Members Earned Promotions

June 05, 2023

Five SESP faculty members with wide-ranging research interests were promoted for their outstanding scholarship and contributions to the field.

SESP Announces 2023 Convocation Speaker

May 01, 2023

Northwestern University alumna Ekpedeme “Pamay” Bassey, chief learning and diversity officer for the Kraft Heinz Company, will be the featured speaker during the 2023 School of Education and Social Policy Convocation ceremony.

SESP Ranked Third Best School of Education

April 25, 2023

Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) was ranked No. 3 in the 2023-24 U.S. News and World Report Best Education Graduate Schools rankings.

Meet SESP's Newest Faculty Member: Sneha Kumar

April 07, 2023

Sneha Kumar, a social demographer whose research explores health inequalities across the life course in some of the most populous countries in the world–including Indonesia, India, China, and Brazil– has joined Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy as an assistant professor of human development and social policy.

Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy Named Dean

March 29, 2023 – from Northwestern Now

Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy (Lumbee) of Arizona State University has been named dean of Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, effective June 1.

Longtime CTD Director Announces Retirement

March 14, 2023

Paula Olszewski-Kubilius, one of the world’s leading figures in the field of talent development and gifted education, is retiring after nearly four decades at Northwestern University.

In Memoriam: Roger Schank (March 12, 1946 – Jan. 29, 2023)

March 13, 2023

Roger Schank, an outspoken theorist and researcher in artificial intelligence and cognitive science, founded the interdisciplinary Institute for the Learning Sciences (ILS) at Northwestern University in 1989. His vision gave birth to an entirely new interdisciplinary field of academic research: Learning Sciences.

MAPSCorps members standing on rocks at the lake

Northwestern Launches New Era of MAPSCorps

March 02, 2023

The School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) is launching a new iteration of MAPSCorps, a national model for training and employing high school and college students to work in STEM as community data scientists.

Northwestern Confers Dual Master’s Degrees

December 28, 2022

The world’s first cohort of students to earn a dual master’s degree in applied economics and social and economic policy received their diplomas on Dec. 9, 2022, at Northwestern University’s McCormick Auditorium during a ceremony that highlighted the importance of cross-cultural understanding.

Exec Ed Coaching Certificate Earns Distinction

December 16, 2022

Northwestern University’s leadership coaching certificate for experienced professionals has been recognized by the non-profit Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE).

Welcome to SESP, President Schill

November 01, 2022

Northwestern University President Michael Schill met with Interim Dean Dan P. McAdams, students, faculty, and staff and learned about several of SESP’s research initiatives and programs during his first visit to the School of Education and Social Policy.

Brian Reiser Appointed Orrington Lunt Professor

October 10, 2022

Northwestern University’s Brian Reiser, whose life work has helped make science education more relevant and meaningful for children, has been appointed the Orrington Lunt Professor of Education and Social Policy.

Pinkard Appointed Alice Hamilton Professor

October 04, 2022

School of Education and Social Policy alumna Nichole Pinkard (PhD98), a leading thinker on the design of educational ecosystems, was appointed the inaugural Alice Hamilton Professor of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.

Schwandt Promoted to Associate Professor

September 14, 2022

Hannes Schwandt, an economist who studies the relationships between health, wealth, and overall well-being, has been promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy at the School of Education and Social Policy.

Shapiro Promoted to Associate Professor of Instruction

September 07, 2022

Northwestern University sociologist Lilah Shapiro, who is known for inspiring her students to think carefully and critically about their responsibilities in our complex world, has been promoted to associate professor of instruction at the School of Education and Social Policy.

SESP Adds International Practicum Site

September 07, 2022

Undergraduates at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy have a new option for their junior year practicum: Milan, Italy.

Undergraduate Elementary Teaching Program Launched

September 06, 2022

Northwestern's School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) has opened a new pathway for aspiring teachers by creating a concentration in undergraduate elementary teaching that follows an interdisciplinary curriculum.

Sabol Promoted to Associate Professor

August 26, 2022

Psychologist Terri Sabol, who examines how classrooms, families and neighborhoods impact a child’s early development, has been promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.

Mike Horn Promoted to Full Professor

August 23, 2022

Michael Horn, whose research has modernized museums and introduced musical approaches to coding, has been promoted to full professor at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.

Scott to Lead Innovation and Program Development

July 26, 2022

Northwestern University’s Kimberly Scott was named associate dean for innovation and program development at the School of Education and Social Policy, Interim Dean Dan P. McAdams announced.

Convocation 2022: ‘A Tender Time in Education’

June 15, 2022

Scholar Na’ilah Suad Nasir urged graduates to help build a “true multicultural democracy” by rethinking the status quo during the School of Education and Social Policy’s 2022 convocation celebration at Northwestern University’s Ryan Fieldhouse.

Dr. Naomi Blaushild holding a bottle of champagne aloft

Lifelong Learners Earn Doctorates

June 08, 2022

Eight Northwestern University graduate students recently reached the pinnacle of education, earning doctoral degrees in three of the School of Education and Social Policy's pioneering programs: Learning Sciences, Human Development and Social Policy, and Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CS + LS), a joint degree with the McCormick School of Engineering.

Bonilla Promoted to Associate Professor

June 06, 2022

Northwestern University’s Tabitha Bonilla, a political scientist who studies how communication influences public support for policies, has been promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy at the School of Education and Social Policy.

Gift from Potocsnak Family Endows College Prep Program

May 16, 2022 – from Northwestern Now

The Potocsnak family has made a new multimillion-dollar gift to Northwestern in honor of President Morton Schapiro, who concludes his tenure in August after 13 years at the University.

Convocation Features Spencer President Na’ilah Suad Nasir

March 30, 2022

Na’ilah Suad Nasir, president of the Chicago-based Spencer Foundation, will address more than 300 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral graduates during the 2022 School of Education and Social Policy Convocation ceremony.

Convocation Features Spencer President Na’ilah Suad Nasir

March 30, 2022

Na’ilah Suad Nasir, president of the Chicago-based Spencer Foundation, will address more than 300 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral graduates during the 2022 School of Education and Social Policy Convocation ceremony.

Meet SESP's Newest PhD's

March 10, 2022

Sixteen Northwestern University graduate students earned doctoral degrees in three of the School of Education and Social Policy's pioneering programs: Learning Sciences, Human Development and Social Policy, and Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CS + LS), a joint degree with the McCormick School of Engineering.

Pioneering Psychologist Dan P. McAdams Named Interim SESP Dean

January 26, 2022

Dan P. McAdams, one of the nation's foremost researchers in the field of narrative psychology, has been named interim dean of Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy.

Learn How to Teach Social and Emotional Learning Skills

January 13, 2022

Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy is launching a six-week certificate course to help teachers incorporate important social and emotional learning skills into the classroom.

Dean David Figlio Named University of Rochester Provost

January 05, 2022

The University of Rochester today named David Figlio as its next provost, effective July 1, 2022.

Claudia Goldin to Speak on Gender Equality at Home, Work

December 09, 2021

Renowned economist and historian Claudia Goldin will discuss her new book Career and Family: Women’s Century-Long Journey toward Equity with Dean David Figlio in the next virtual Family Action Network event at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14.

Vossoughi Promoted to Associate Professor

December 07, 2021

Northwestern University’s Shirin Vossoughi, a learning scientist best known for her work studying culture, equity, social relations, and learning in a range of educational environments, has been promoted to associate professor of learning sciences at the School of Education and Social Policy.

Save the Dates: 2022 SESP Events and Special Guests

December 02, 2021

Please mark your calendars and join us for our upcoming in person discussions, celebrations, and guest lectures.

Seeking Early Career Visiting Scholars for K-12 Education Research

October 18, 2021

The E4 Early Career Visiting Fellows Program is currently seeking four up and coming scholars to conduct K-12 education research at Northwestern University's Center for Education Efficacy, Excellence, and Equity (E4) during the 2022-23 academic year.

Emma Adam Named Associate Vice President for Research

October 15, 2021

Emma Adam, the Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Human Development and Social Policy in the School of Education and Social Policy has been named associate vice president for research at Northwestern University.

Alumna Alexandra Sims to Deliver Loeschner Lecture

September 24, 2021

Alumna Alexandra Sims (BS10) will speak about her experiences in Chicago politics and public affairs as part of Northwestern University’s Nancy and Ray Loeschner Leadership Series.

Meet SESP's Newest PhD's

September 24, 2021

Sixteen Northwestern University graduate students earned doctoral degrees in three of the School of Education and Social Policy's pioneering programs: Learning Sciences, Human Development and Social Policy, and Computer Science and Learning Sciences (CS + LS), a joint degree with the McCormick School of Engineering.

SESP and High Jump Launch Community Scholars Program

September 21, 2021

SESP, in collaboration with High Jump, recently launched the Community Scholars Program for middle school students in Evanston and Chicago.

Connor Bain Earns First Joint CS + LS Doctoral Degree

September 21, 2021

Connor Bain (PhD21), whose love for teaching may be rivaled only by his passion for computers, has earned the nation’s first joint doctoral degree in computer science and learning sciences (CS + LS) at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.

SESP Launches New Research-Practice Partnership with $5.8-Million Grant

September 14, 2021

Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) received a $5.8-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support an innovative partnership that links University researchers and Curriculum Associates, a leading provider of digital assessment and instructional materials, with several school districts.

The Process is Messy. And That's OK.

August 31, 2021

Jada Levi’s senior honors math class at Evanston Township High School (ETHS) was one of the most unusual courses she had ever taken. And not just because the assignments seemed unrelated to algebra, AP calculus or statistics.

Caste: The Origins of our Discontents cover

Our Next Book is Caste. Register Now.

July 29, 2021

Registration is open for the next School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) Equity Book Club discussion, which features Isabel Wilkerson’s latest book Caste: The Origins of our Discontents.

ELOC Helps Senior Executives Stay Ahead of the Curve

July 23, 2021

Design thinking tools are particularly well suited for senior leaders who want to tackle today’s rapidly fluctuating and often ambiguous challenges, experts said during the webinar, Redesigning Organizational Structures and Practices.

SESP Leads the Pack in Big Ten Distinguished Scholars

July 10, 2021

More than a quarter of Northwestern University’s 2020-21 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars are enrolled in the School of Education and Social Policy, one of the nation's top schools of learning, leadership, and policy.

FUSE Studios Expands to Southern California

June 29, 2021

Students in underserved elementary schools in Southern California will have access to Northwestern University’s FUSE Studios program this fall, thanks in part to a $150,000 grant from the Mazda Foundation.

Northwestern Helps Support Evanston’s Summer Fest

June 18, 2021

Registration is now open for Evanston’s Summer Fest at Butler Park, a seven-week STEAM program that lets middle school-aged children explore everything from roller skating and drone racing to woodworking, creating beats, and podcasting.

Spikes Discusses Illinois New Media Literacy Bill

June 15, 2021

Northwestern University learning sciences doctoral candidate Michael A. Spikes stressed the importance of teaching media literacy in light of a new bill that would require Illinois high schools to incorporate media literacy education into existing curricula that targets understanding and evaluating news and social media.

SESP Convocation 2021: Never Stop Learning

June 14, 2021

Civil rights activist Tarana Burke, who champions the importance of connection and the “far-reaching power of empathy,” urged the Class of 2021 to stay open to change, join a cause they believe in, and remain committed to learning during the School of Education and Social Policy’s annual convocation ceremony celebration at Northwestern University’s Ryan Fieldhouse.

Brayboy Challenges SESP to Reimagine Education for Indigenous Students

June 09, 2021

Scholars have an important opportunity and responsibility to help transform schools into a system that supports Indigenous students, Arizona State University (ASU) professor Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy (Lumbee) said during the latest installment of the School of Education and Social Policy Equity Book Club.

Summer Learning and Beyond: Opportunities for Creating Equity

Leading Education Scholars: There's No Going Back

May 18, 2021

Schools should not return to the old “normal,” despite concerns about potential learning loss after a year of disruption, leading education scholars argue in a new report by the Spencer Foundation and the Learning Policy Institute.

TEACHx 2021 Highlights Remote Teaching Innovations

May 09, 2021

School of Education and Social Policy students, faculty, and staff will highlight innovative experiments in remote teaching and learning at Northwestern University’s annual TEACHx symposium.

Bryan Brayboy to Speak on Schools, Prison, and Indigenous Youth

May 03, 2021

Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy (Lumbee), who studies the impact of the school-to-prison pipeline on Indigenous youth, will deliver a distinguished lecture at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 25 as part of SESP's ongoing conversation regarding justice and equity.

Bonilla Develops New Class With Equity and Diversity Grant

April 29, 2021

Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy professor Tabitha Bonilla has developed a new undergraduate class that explores how looking at identities as 'intersectional' shifts our understanding of policy.

‘Inclusive Making’ Helps Students Design for People with Disabilities

April 09, 2021

A college design course that takes a critical look at the field of ‘making” and includes partnerships between students and people with disabilities can promote accessibility in computing, according to new Northwestern University research.

Marginalized Students’ Backgrounds a Strength, Researchers Say

February 25, 2021

Rather than “fixing” students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, colleges and universities should view their experiences as assets and a source of strength, according to two new publications by SESP researchers.

Grad Student Develops New Courses for Gender and Sexuality Studies

February 25, 2021

School of Education and Social Policy graduate student Addie Shrodes will be teaching two courses she designed for Northwestern University’s Gender and Sexuality Studies (GSS) program, Everyday Resistance and Reimagination and Queer and Trans Technology, Play, and Protest.

Bettina Love: 'Eliminate Oppression From the Root'

January 29, 2021

Bettina L. Love, author and the Athletic Association Endowed Professor at the University of Georgia, recently spoke to nearly 400 members of the SESP community during a wide-ranging conversation focused on race, racism, justice, joy, love, and equity.

Amy Pratt, Mesmin Destin and Simone Ispa-Landa

When Education Research Benefits Both Sides

January 29, 2021

Research partnerships between Universities and school districts need to be mutually beneficial, long term, and thoughtfully structured, Northwestern University researchers said during the annual meeting of the Mindset Scholars Network.

COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook cover and David Rapp

Experts: New Resource Can Fight COVID-19 Misinformation

January 28, 2021

Professor David Rapp was among more than two dozen expert scientists from around the world who contributed to a new user-friendly handbook designed to help fight the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus vaccines.

We Need International Education More Than Ever. Can It Be Saved?

January 25, 2021

The concept of “mobility” or moving freely across borders must be dramatically redefined to strengthen global education, School of Education and Social Policy alumna Kara Godwin (MS05) said during a recent Northwestern University webinar.

SESP Facilitates Donation of Learning Games

January 08, 2021

SESP helped facilitate the donation of approximately 8,500 Osmo sampler kits to children and educators in Evanston and Chicago, including Evanston/Skokie School District 65, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and community organizations.

Abolitionist Teaching: A Conversation with Bettina L. Love

January 04, 2021

Bettina L. Love, the Athletic Association Endowed Professor at the University of Georgia who coined the term “abolitionist teaching,” will discuss race, education, and activism in a webinar hosted by Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy.

As Told To: Bank of America's D. Steve Boland

December 18, 2020

D. Steve Boland, president of retail at Bank of America, talks about his life and career path with SESP undergraduates during professor Regina Logan's class, The Life Story Interview.

Spikes Helps Craft Adult Media Literacy Guide

December 18, 2020

Learning Sciences doctoral student Michael Spikes served as a national advisor for the American Library Association’s new initiative to help library staffers respond to misinformation and other media literacy issues.

SESP Professor Named Co-Chair of Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission

December 18, 2020

Northwestern University’s Danny M. Cohen (PhD11) has been appointed co-chair of the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission, a 17-member team of scholars, educators, and practitioners focused on Holocaust, genocide, and social justice education, and commemoration.

Alumna Purvi Shah: Using Law to Create Social Change

November 23, 2020

Purvi Shah (BS02), who majored in social policy and political science at Northwestern, founded the Movement Law Lab to seed a new generation of lawyers who can tackle some of America's toughest justice challenges

Carol Lee Elected President of the National Academy of Education

November 02, 2020

Professor emeritus Carol D. Lee, the former Edwina S. Tarry Professor of Education, has been named president elect of the National Academy of Education.

From East Germany to Evanston: Haase Promoted to Associate Professor

October 26, 2020

Claudia Haase, a developmental psychologist who studies pathways to happy and healthy development across the life span, was promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy in the School of Education and Social Policy beginning Sept. 1, 2020.

Learning Sciences PhD Program Expands to 43

October 15, 2020

After nearly two decades teaching literacy and working for equity in Chicago Public Schools, Leslie Russell wanted new tools for change. She’s now pursuing a doctorate in learning sciences at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy because “schools shouldn’t be places that recreate the inequities that are so common in the rest of society,” she says.

Six Scholars Join the Human Development and Social Policy Doctoral Program

October 02, 2020

Community and a “strong sense of mutuality” are what make the human development and social policy doctoral program so special, School of Education and Social Policy Dean David Figlio told incoming students during Wildcat Welcome 2020.

Maddie Brucker, Ayse Hunt, and Michael Smith

Computer Science + Learning Sciences Doctoral Program Welcomes New Cohort

September 25, 2020

Maddie Brucker, Ayse Hunt, and Michael Smith have joined the School of Education and Social Policy’s Joint PhD Program in Computer Science and Learning Sciences.

Wildcat Welcome 2020: 'My Door is Physically and VIrtually Open'

September 22, 2020

Cultivating a supportive community is a top priority for the 2020-21 school year, School of Education and Social Policy Dean David Figlio stressed during the first virtual Wildcat Welcome week in Northwestern University history.

Welcome Back! Chase-Lansdale Returns to SESP Faculty

September 17, 2020

Northwestern University professor Lindsay Chase-Lansdale has rejoined the School of Education and Social Policy faculty after a seven-year tenure in the Provost's office.

Longtime Practicum Supervisor Retires

September 17, 2020

The thank you cards came pouring in after Jan Schmidt announced her retirement from the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. As one of SESP’s longest and most beloved practicum supervisors, Schmidt served a mentor, leader, teacher, and friend to dozens of Northwestern University students.

SESP Launches Dual-Degree Master’s Program with The Chinese University of Hong Kong

September 08, 2020

Applications are being accepted for an innovative dual-degree applied economics and social and economic policy master’s program offered by Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s (CUHK) Department of Economics.

Meet David Rapp: Director of Undergraduate Education

September 02, 2020

Northwestern University’s David Rapp, who researches language, memory, and why we’re so susceptible to misinformation, is the new director of undergraduate education at the School of Education and Social Policy, Dean David Figlio announced.

News Roundup: Office of Community Education Partnerships

September 01, 2020

The Office of Community Education Partnerships bridges the research, practice, and service missions of the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) and Northwestern University.

STEAMbassadors: Mentors From the Community. For the Community.

August 26, 2020

Malik Madkins cried a little bit on the day he heard a student say, “let’s listen to our teacher.” Madkins, who is studying film and photography at City Colleges of Chicago’s Truman College, was the teacher.

These Teachers Added Computational Thinking to Their Classes

August 25, 2020

Sue Juhl is a longtime Chicago Public Schools special education and biology teacher with a self-described “unhealthy fear of computers and any kind of programming.” But after working with Northwestern University’s Computational Thinking in STEM Summer Institute for just four weeks, Juhl unveiled a timely and relevant new curriculum that combines computer models, data, and algorithms with social emotional learning to help students recognize and mitigate the risk of COVID-19.

Coburn Named to William T. Grant Selection Committee

August 01, 2020

Cynthia Coburn was named to the William T. Grant Scholars Selection Committee, a dedicated group of academics who help younger colleagues with career development, mentoring, and pursuing new research challenges.

Nichole Pinkard, Shirin Vossoughi, Emma Adam

SESP Leads During a Time of Crisis

July 07, 2020

Three School of Education and Social Policy faculty members discussed the innovative ways they’ve adapted their work to address the multiple crises facing society during a recent webinar organized by Northwestern’s office of Alumni Relations and Development.

Holding Space: 'Our relationships are powerful teachers'

July 02, 2020

The isolation of shelter in place offers relationship challenges and opportunities, says Alexandra Solomon, who teaches SESP's Marriage 101 class.

A Chance to Reimagine America's Schools

June 30, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised urgent questions not only about access to schooling, but also about education’s deeper purposes, challenges and possibilities, School of Education and Social Policy faculty members Sally Nuamah and Shirin Vossoughi said during a recent Northwestern Buffett Institute for Global Affairs webinar.

I’m a Doctor! New PhDs Receive Their Charge

June 23, 2020

There’s no going back to the world we once knew – and therein lies “enormous opportunity to make the world a better place,” SESP convocation speaker Sybil Madison told the Class of 2020 during the first virtual convocation celebration in Northwestern University history.

Student Films Explore Race, Power, and Technology

June 16, 2020

Three timely documentary films examining the impact of new policing and surveillance technologies on communities in Chicago and Evanston will premiere online in a special event organized by Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) and the Block Museum of Art.

News Literacy in an Era of Fake News

June 14, 2020

People are influenced by inaccurate information even when they know better -- and even when they’re warned, professor David Rapp said during a recent webinar on news media literacy.

A Path to Greater Equity in Education

June 04, 2020

Northwestern University is celebrating the launch of a revolutionary new initiative by the City of Chicago to connect youth to hundreds of activities in a digital space where they can interact with the friends and mentors.

SESP: A Catalyst During Crisis

June 03, 2020

When SESP Dean and economist David Figlio created the syllabus for his popular undergraduate class, he had no idea he’d be teaching it during the worst economic crisis of anyone’s lifetime.

A Message of Solidarity from Dean Figlio

June 02, 2020

Dean David Figlio offers a message of support in the wake of the past week's events following the murder of George Floyd.

Senior Pays Tribute to Extraordinary Educator

May 10, 2020

Senior Jack Benjamin calls his high school teacher Joseph Brysiewicz a “personal hero.” Drawn to his lively and fast-paced European history lectures, Benjamin said “Bryz,” as he’s affectionally called by students, “has an encyclopedic knowledge of world history and current events alike.”

Online Enrichment in a Crisis

May 07, 2020

Within days of schools closing in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Learning Sciences professor Nichole Pinkard was inundated with calls from her family and friends, asking how they could keep their children engaged at home. Pinkard was in a unique position to help.

Northwestern Commencement To Be Virtual

April 22, 2020

Northwestern’s commencement ceremony will be held virtually, President Morton Schapiro announced, marking the first time in 162 years the ceremony will not be held in person. In a letter to the University community earlier today, Schapiro also announced that Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, a key voice — and face — of social distancing, will deliver the commencement address at the June 19 ceremony.

screens displaying the Baxter Center website

The Baxter Center Launches Virtual Learning Series for Science Teachers

April 13, 2020

Nearly two dozen middle and high school educators joined the weekly Baxter Center for Science Education’s teacher virtual learning series to discuss research-based principles for online learning and the challenges with moving to remote classes.

Final Exam: Presenting to the Governor’s Office

April 12, 2020

In one of his last class assignments before the coronavirus COVID-19 changed the nature of schooling, Northwestern University undergraduate Alan Perez and his team offered early education policy recommendations to state officials at the office of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker in Chicago.

mother and two children looking at laptop screen

CTD's 10 Tips for Getting Started Online

March 29, 2020

Northwestern University's Center for Talent Development, which offers more than 200 online courses designed for advanced learners, has provided innovative distance and online learning for more than three decades.

Northwestern Women's Basketball Wins Big Ten Title

March 08, 2020

The college basketball season is a long, bumpy road. Even for the Big Ten champion Northwestern women’s team, which boasts five scholar-athletes enrolled in the School of Education and Social Policy, including sophomore Veronica Burton (Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, second-team All-Big Ten); Abi Scheid (First-team All-Big Ten); Bryana Hopkins; Byrdy Galernick; and Amber Jamison.

Digital Divas Connects Girls to STEM

February 25, 2020

Digital Youth Divas is a free program started by SESP's Nichole Pinkard to get middle school girls involved in STEM activities. The program begins in the fourth grade and tracks the outcomes through high school.

OpenSciEd Releases Free Science Teaching Materials

February 07, 2020

OpenSciEd is a collaborative effort to develop free, high-quality classroom materials for teachers nationwide. Co-created by Northwestern University’s Brian Reiser and his team of learning scientists, the free and downloadable units are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and lay the groundwork for the future of science education.

Bang, Vossoughi Win Alumnae Award

December 18, 2019

Megan Bang and Shirin Vossoughi have been named the 2019 recipients of The Alumnae of Northwestern University’s Award for Curriculum Development.

Video Enhances ‘The 5 Practices’ for Math Teachers

December 16, 2019

A new companion book to the modern classic, 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions, illustrates the steps in action using vignettes and videos from real middle school classrooms.

Undergrads, Elders Mix at 10th Annual Intergenerational Exchange

December 16, 2019

Northwestern University undergraduates and adults living in an Evanston retirement and senior living community traded stories, laughs, and advice during the 10th annual intergenerational exchange field trip.

SESP Hosts Education Writers' Seminar on College Pathways

November 22, 2019

Almost all high school graduates now attend college, but that doesn’t mean they’re receiving a degree, Northwestern University’s James Rosenbaum told journalists during a two-day Education Writers Association seminar in Chicago that explored gaps between high school and post-secondary education.

New STEPP Center To Build an ‘Evidence-Based Ecosystem’

November 11, 2019

To boost policymaking in the education fields, Hedges and statistician Elizabeth Tipton have established the Statistics for Evidence-Based Policy and Practice (STEPP) Center at the Institute for Policy Research.

Job Openings for Students New to Research

November 11, 2019

Several School of Education and Social Policy faculty members are looking for undergraduate students with no prior experience to help with research projects as part of the Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP).

A Peek Inside the Principal’s Office: 'It’s a Pressure Cooker'

October 31, 2019

School principals often have too much to do and not enough time to do it. They share leadership duties but have ultimate responsibility for the school and everyone inside of it. And they have to meet the demands of everyone -- from parents and school board members to teachers and students.

Reunion 2019: SESP Alumni Connect With Undergrads

October 31, 2019

More than two dozen alumni returned home to the School of Education and Social Policy for Reunion 2019, where they talked with undergraduates about everything from networking and travel to lifelong learning.

Pinkard Receives Grant to Reduce Computer Science Deserts

October 29, 2019

Northwestern University professor Nichole Pinkard received a CME Group Foundation grant to expand her work increasing access to computer science for K-12 students who live in underserved areas of Chicago.

Tony Jack on Diversity: 'Access Ain't Inclusion'

October 29, 2019

Colleges and universities must deliberately move from access to inclusion, sociologist Anthony Jack told a crowd of more than 600 people during Northwestern University’s Nancy and Ray Loeschner Leadership Series at Alice Millar Chapel.

Reunion 2019: SESP Hosts Alumni Luncheon

October 17, 2019

Two dozen School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) alumni from a wide range of careers will join current undergraduates for networking conversations and lunch at noon in Annenberg Hall, room GO2.

Tabitha Bonilla Joins SESP Faculty

October 14, 2019

Tabitha Bonilla, a political scientist who studies how messaging influences voters’ responses to political issues and candidates, has joined Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy as assistant professor of human development and social policy.

Ispa-Landa Named Associate Professor

October 02, 2019

Northwestern University education sociologist Simone Ispa-Landa received tenure and was promoted to associate professor of human development and social policy in the School of Education and Social Policy beginning Sept. 1, 2019.

Harvard's Anthony Jack To Deliver Loeschner Leadership Lecture

October 02, 2019

Anthony Abraham Jack, author of The Privileged Poor: How Elite Colleges Are Failing Disadvantaged Students, will be speaking on campus culture and inequity in education as part of Northwestern University’s Nancy and Ray Loeschner Leadership Series.

SESP Faculty Members Join IPR

October 02, 2019

Tabitha Bonilla and Sally Nuamah have been named faculty fellows at Northwestern University’s Institute for Policy Research, an interdisciplinary community of scholars.

Sally Nuamah: The Education Disruptor

September 08, 2019

Education wasn’t a sure thing for Sally Nuamah. Raised by a single mother in a low-income Chicago neighborhood, Nuamah was the child of immigrants, black and female.

Preparing Policy-Minded Scholars

August 29, 2019

Gender, health, and education researcher Mollie McQuillan was one of more than 30 Northwestern doctoral students from across the University who worked with faculty researchers at the Institute for Policy Research (IPR) as a graduate research assistant last year.

SESP Enriches Undergraduate Curriculum

August 24, 2019

The School of Education and Social Policy updated its undergraduate curriculum to emphasize global engagement, advanced research methods, experiential learning, and more, Dean David Figlio announced.

Connective Tissue: A Healthy Part of Education

August 21, 2019

Nichole Pinkard’s high school basketball coach also happened to be her computer science teacher. By the time she graduated, she’d taken eight programming classes and could visualize her future -- a career in the field.

Student Philanthropists Give Away Money

August 16, 2019

Northwestern University undergraduates gave away $22,500 each to the non-profits Storycatchers Theater and Chicago Hopes for Kids as part of the School of Education and Social Policy course Learning Philanthropy: Engaging in the Study and Practice of Giving.

Evanston Middle Schoolers Visit Campus

August 16, 2019

When Northwestern University doctoral student Eric Brown was recruiting students at Evanston’s Nichols Middle School for his dissertation research, at least five or six asked whether he'd be interviewing them on campus.

CT-STEM Helps Teachers Reimagine Curriculum

August 16, 2019

Real scientists generally don’t collect data by hand and crunch numbers using a calculator. So when Teresa Granito teaches biology at Evanston Township High School in the fall, she’ll introduce her students to some of the same computer modeling tools used by the pros.

Study: School Segregation Drives Racial Gaps in Special Ed Placement

August 02, 2019

Black and Hispanic students are placed into special education classes more often when attending majority-white schools, according to a new working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER).

Are All Head Start Classrooms Created Equal?

July 30, 2019

Individual classrooms within the Head Start program vary in quality and don’t always reflect the school as a whole, according to a new Northwestern University study published in the American Educational Research Journal.

2019 Convocation: ‘How You Gonna Win If You Ain’t Right Within?’

June 28, 2019

With inspiration from singer-songwriter Lauryn Hill, Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) dean David Figlio urged graduates to learn from their mistakes and keep cultivating better versions of themselves.

Seniors Samantha Buresch and Jamilah Silver celebrate their honors thesis presentations

2018-19: A Year of Outstanding Research and Scholarship

June 18, 2019

Northwestern University will recognize exceptional graduating students Thursday, June 20 at Cahn Auditorium as part of Commencement week ceremonies. We round up all winners from the School of Education and Social Policy community during 2918-19, including undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni.

Senior Honors Students Recognized By Dean, Faculty

June 18, 2019

School of Education and Social Policy Honors and Civic Engagement Certificate students presented their research findings and Capstone Projects to Dean David Figlio and faculty members.

Scholar Athletes Earn All-Big Ten Honors

June 11, 2019

More than 20 percent of the Northwestern University athletes who received at-large and spring Academic All-Big Ten honors are pursuing degrees in the School of Education and Social Policy, a community that emphasizes learning, leadership, and policy.

Yidan Prize Winner Announces New Education Research Center

June 11, 2019

Northwestern University Professor Larry Hedges, a founding father of meta-analysis in education, laid plans for transforming education systems in the U.S. and globally, during his opening address at the Yidan Prize Conference Series: The Americas.

Evanston Sixth Graders Use ‘Design Thinking’ to Tackle Climate Change

June 03, 2019

A straw made from wheatgrass, stormwater ice cream, and a food waste prevention app were just some the solutions Evanston sixth graders devised to address climate change as part of the first citywide project-based learning showcase.

Three Secrets For Working Across Disciplines

May 24, 2019

A short attention span and the inability to say ‘no’ can be useful traits for a transdisciplinary scientist, Northwestern University’s David Uttal said, only half joking, during an event celebrating a new facility within the Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci).

First Computer Science-Learning Sciences Symposium Draws World's Top Scholars

May 23, 2019

Computer science classes and boot camps have never been more popular in the US and worldwide. But how can educators help the next generation use this technology to their advantage? And how can that information reach everyone – not just those drawn to the traditional notions of computer science?

Dean David Figlio (l), Mary Daly, Ray Loeschner

Economist Mary Daly: 'Bloom Where You’re Planted'

May 19, 2019

Fresh off a commencement speech at Syracuse University, economist Mary Daly spoke with SESP Dean David Figlio in Annenberg Hall as part of SESP's Nancy and Ray Loeschner Lecture Series.

Adam to Discuss Work on Sleep, Equity

May 06, 2019

Emma Adam, one of the world’s leading researchers on stress, race, and sleep, will discuss Sleep Equity: Good Sleep as a Resource (and a Right?) during the One SESP Graduate Student Dinner and Discussion.

Why You Don’t Want to Leave School During a Recession

May 05, 2019

The bad luck of leaving school during hard economic times can lead to higher rates of early death and permanent differences in life circumstances, Northwestern University’s Hannes Schwandt wrote in a policy brief.

Michael Horn, Jamie Gorson and Uri Wilensky during the first CS-LS Symposium

Computer Scientists and Learning Scientists Join Forces

May 04, 2019

Computer science classes and boot camps have never been more popular. But how can we help the next generation of students feel empowered by this technology? And how can that education reach everyone – not just those who are drawn to the traditional notions of computer science?

Mary Daly during her podcast Women in Economics.

Federal Reserve CEO to Speak on Leadership

May 03, 2019

Mary Daly, a high school dropout who is now president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, will discuss leadership for social good during the Nancy and Ray Loeschner Leadership Series at Northwestern University.

Former U.S. Secretary of Education To Address Class of 2019

May 03, 2019

Arne Duncan, the unusually-candid U.S. Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama, will address the undergraduate class of 2019 during SESP Convocation ceremonies. Shirley Welsh Ryan, a 2019 recipient of an honorary degree from Northwestern University, is scheduled to speak at the graduate ceremony.

Northwestern Academy Supports Evanston Students

April 25, 2019

Northwestern University’s successful college access program for underserved, high-achieving students at Evanston Township High School has been renamed “Northwestern Academy – Evanston.”

Academy students visit the University of California, Los Angeles

Northwestern Academy Students Tour Colleges Across the Nation

April 24, 2019

Northwestern Academy for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students visited 21 college campuses from Southern California to Pennsylvania during their annual spring break trip.

FUSE Partners with Smithfield Foundation

April 24, 2019

Company’s contribution will create FUSE Studios at 20 schools across Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, and South Dakota.

Diane Nash during Northwestern’s commemoration of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

Diane Nash, Civil Rights Icon, to Speak at Northwestern

April 23, 2019

Esteemed civil rights activist, leader, and organizer Diane Nash will participate in a community conversation Thursday, April 25, on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus.

Spillane Coaches Education Leaders in Asia

April 17, 2019

Professor James Spillane delivered a keynote speech on school leadership and led a related workshop during the recent Global Education Leadership Summit in Bangkok.

Person with long hair standing over a computer working

Northwestern Hosts First Computer Science and Learning Sciences Symposium

April 15, 2019

Distinguished leaders and rising stars in computer science and learning sciences will explore the challenges and opportunities facing the field of education during the first annual symposium on computing and learning April 28- 30 at Northwestern University.

SESP Heads to Toronto for AERA

April 03, 2019

SESP faculty, alumni, postdocs and graduate students will be presenting at the 2019 American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting April 5 through April 9, the world’s largest gathering of education researchers.

Eve L. Ewing to Host Loeschner Leadership Series Event

March 21, 2019

Chicago writer and sociologist of education Dr. Eve L. Ewing will discuss scholarship, leadership, and effective community activism as part of the Nancy and Ray Loeschner Leadership Series at Northwestern University.

Graphic representing the connection of computers and the mind

Vakil: Equity is More Than Inclusion

March 21, 2019

Computer science educators should think more deeply about the ethical, political, and social justice consequences of their work, Northwestern University’s Sepehr Vakil wrote in a commentary published in the March issue of the magazine Communications of the Association for Computer Machinery.

Lois Trautvetter (second from right) with her co-authors.

Women in STEM: How Can Universities Close Gender Gaps?

March 19, 2019

Colleges and universities that invest in gender parity ultimately help support women pursuing careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), according to a new book co-authored by Northwestern University’s Lois Trautvetter.

Preview Days Showcase MSHE Program

March 13, 2019

Bridget O’Connell (MS17) is a career changer who found “her place” in higher education. After working for more than a decade in engineering, she now helps undergraduate and graduate students explore their career goals and find meaningful employment.

Alumna Named Associate Dean of Teacher Education

March 07, 2019

Kavita Kapadia Matsko (MS97) knew she wanted to be a teacher from a young age. But it wasn’t until she came to Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) that she realized her passion included preparing the teachers themselves.

Doctoral Candidate Selected to Millennium Scholars Program

March 07, 2019

While working as an eighth-grade math teacher, Andrea Kinghorn Busby saw how her students’ lives outside school intersected with their classroom experiences.

Corey Winchester: Disrupting Education

February 24, 2019

Corey Winchester (BS10) never went to school simply to get good grades, Clare Proctor wrote in the Daily Northwestern. “For him, it was about learning, a mindset he credits to his family and first-grade teacher.”

Five SESP Faculty Named to Edu-Scholar List

January 28, 2019

Five School of Education and Social Policy scholars were named to Education Week’s “Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings,” which recognize 200 of the most influential academics in education policy.

Madison Named Civic Leadership Academy Fellow

January 17, 2019

Sybil Madison has been named to the Civic Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, a program for promising leaders in non-profit organizations and local government agencies within Chicago and Cook County.

Wilensky Named Lorraine Morton Professor

January 11, 2019

Northwestern University’s Uri Wilensky, a pioneer in learning technology and computational modeling, has been named the Lorraine Morton Professor of Learning Sciences and Computer Science, David Figlio, Dean of the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP), announced.